What documents do I need for a green card application?
A green card application generally requires the petition form (Form I-130 for family or I-140 for employment), the adjustment application (Form I-485), civil documents (birth certificate, marriage certificate, and any divorce decrees or death certificates ending prior marriages), financial evidence (Form I-864 Affidavit of Support and tax records), a medical exam (Form I-693), a passport, and photos. Every civil document not in English must include a certified English translation.
The green card packet is large, and the single most common non-legal reason it stalls is a document problem — a missing civil record, or a foreign-language document submitted without a compliant translation. This checklist covers what you need, organized the way USCIS reviews it, with a clear flag on which items require certified translation.
The Building Blocks of a Green Card Application
Form I-130 / I-140
The underlying petition. I-130 establishes a family relationship; I-140 establishes an employment-based category. It must be approved (or filed concurrently) before permanent residence is granted.
Form I-485
The application to adjust status to permanent resident from inside the U.S. The base filing fee is $1,440 for most applicants 14 and older, with biometrics included.
Form I-864
The Affidavit of Support, in which a sponsor accepts financial responsibility. It's backed by tax returns and proof of income.
Form I-693
The medical examination, completed by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon and submitted in a sealed envelope.
Fees change through formal rulemaking, so confirm every amount on USCIS Form G-1055 before you file — a wrong fee gets a packet rejected outright.
Essential Forms and Civil Documents
Beyond the forms, USCIS wants the civil records that establish who you are and how you qualify:
- ✓Birth certificate — for the applicant and, in family cases, to prove the qualifying relationship.
- ✓Marriage certificate — for marriage-based cases, plus proof the marriage is bona fide.
- ✓Evidence ending every prior marriage — a divorce decree, death certificate, or annulment, for both spouses.
- ✓Passport — biographic page, and often the most recent entry record.
- ✓Passport-style photos — per current USCIS specifications.
- ✓Police or court records — where the category or history requires them.
The translation rule that applies to all of it:
every civil document not written in English must be accompanied by a complete certified English translation with a signed statement of accuracy and competence, under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3). A foreign birth certificate or a foreign divorce decree without a compliant translation is a documented cause of delay.
Family-Based vs. Employment-Based Documents
The core civil documents are similar, but the qualifying evidence differs:
- ▸Family-based cases lead with Form I-130 and proof of the relationship — marriage certificate and bona fide marriage evidence, or birth certificates establishing a parent-child or sibling link.
- ▸Employment-based cases lead with Form I-140, a job offer or labor certification, and evidence of the employer relationship and the applicant's qualifications.
- ▸Both require the I-485, the I-864 (in most family cases), the medical exam, and certified translations of any foreign-language civil documents.
The parts of a green card packet that trigger delays are rarely the complicated legal questions. They're the ordinary documents — a foreign birth certificate translated incompletely, a decree left in its original language, a name that doesn't match across forms. Those are the cheapest problems to prevent.
Assembling a green card packet?
We translate foreign birth certificates, marriage certificates, and decrees to the USCIS standard — each document individually certified, reviewed by a second translator.
Get My Free QuoteSupporting Documents That Strengthen Your Application
- ✓Tax returns or transcripts supporting the Affidavit of Support.
- ✓Proof of lawful entry or current status, where applicable.
- ✓Evidence of a bona fide marriage (joint accounts, lease, photos) in spousal cases.
- ✓Certified translations of every foreign-language supporting document.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ▸Submitting a foreign-language civil document without a certified translation.
- ▸Name or date mismatches between the translation, the passport, and the forms.
- ▸Paying the wrong filing fee — always confirm on the current USCIS fee schedule.
- ▸Forgetting a divorce decree or death certificate ending a prior marriage.
- ▸Leaving seals and stamps untranslated on birth or marriage certificates.
For the documents that need translating, see immigration document translation, birth certificate translation, and USCIS certified translation. If you're petitioning for a relative, our companion guide on the I-130 and which documents need translation covers that step in detail.
The Takeaway
A green card application needs the right forms, the civil records that prove your identity and eligibility, financial and medical evidence, and — critically — a certified English translation of every foreign-language document. Get the ordinary documents right and you remove the most common reason these cases stall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which green card documents need to be translated?
Every civil document not written in English — birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, death certificates, and police records — must include a complete certified English translation with a signed statement of accuracy and competence.
Do I need a certified translation or is any translation fine?
It must be certified: a complete translation plus the translator's signed certification. An informal or machine translation does not meet the USCIS standard and can cause a Request for Evidence.
How much does a green card application cost in 2026?
Government fees change through rulemaking. As a reference point, Form I-485 is $1,440 for most applicants 14 and older with biometrics included, and Form I-130 is $675 by mail or $625 online. Always confirm current amounts on USCIS Form G-1055.
Do both spouses' prior marriages need documenting?
Yes. USCIS requires evidence that every prior marriage legally ended — for the applicant and the petitioner — such as a divorce decree or death certificate, with a certified translation if it's not in English.
What's the difference between family-based and employment-based documents?
The civil documents overlap, but family cases lead with Form I-130 and relationship evidence, while employment cases lead with Form I-140 and job-related evidence. Both require certified translations of foreign-language civil documents.
How fast can you translate green card documents in Dallas?
Most standard civil documents are completed within 24 to 48 hours, with rush service available. Send complete, legible scans and your deadline for an exact quote.
Preparing a green card application?
Certified Translation Dallas delivers USCIS-ready certified translations of every foreign-language document in your packet — in over 100 languages, individually certified, reviewed by a second translator, guaranteed accepted.
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This article is general information, not legal advice. Immigration requirements and fees change; verify current details with USCIS and consult a licensed immigration attorney for your case.
